Provincial leaders make dementia a priority issue

The Alzheimer Society of Canada applauds the leadership of Canada’s provincial and territorial premiers in making dementia an important priority issue for the Health Care Innovation Working Group.

Awareness and early diagnosis is absolutely critical to opening the doors to treatment and support that will enable the 747,000 Canadians currently living with dementia, as well as their caregivers, to live more fulfilling lives and remain independent in their communities and at home longer.

This news is also significant in making sure our health-care systems are better positioned to respond to the growing needs of people with dementia and their caregivers more effectively.

In less than 20 years, an estimated 1.4 million Canadians will have dementia. Today’s announcement is good news and a positive step in the right direction.